Fresh wave of violence hits Rumbek as community leaders call for governor’s removal

August 28, 2014 (RUMBEK) – A fresh wave of inter-clan violence flared in Lakes state’s Rumbek Central county on Wednesday, leaving three people dead.

Traditional spear masters (community leaders) in South Sudan’s Lakes state conduct a prayer service

In one incident suspected pastoralists raided Cuei-Adukan, killing a teacher and injuring an elderly man after opening fire in the area, about 8km from Rumbek Central county.

No suspects have been detained in connection to the killing of the teacher, named as Mayek Mabeny Reec. His son also suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh, but survived the attack.

The criminal investigation department (CID) confirmed the incident, saying that capturing suspects in revenge killings is becoming increasingly difficult as local communities are refusing to share information with authorities related to murder.

The officer also confirmed that 20 cows were also killed in the cross fire, with another 30 sustaining gunshot wounds, in a separate attack on Manyiel cattle camp.

He said members of the Boor section are suspected of carrying out the attack against the Panyon section.

In another separate incident on Wednesday, also in Manyiel, two unknown gunmen killed two people.

The victims were identified as Maker Malou Manyiel and Pajelo Apur-rap. An elderly man and one woman, the mother of paramount chief Marop Chagau, were also injured in the incident.

LEADERS HOLD CEREMONY

Meanwhile, spear masters (community leaders) in the remote village of Mabor-duang village, located in the south-west of Rumbek East county, conducted traditional practices calling on South Sudanese president Salva Kiir to remove Lakes state’s military caretaker governor, Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol, who they blame for the deterioration in security across the region.

The group of traditional leaders slaughtered a bull as part of the ceremony.

Mamer Maker, who led traditional leaders in calling for the governor’s removal, said that state had fallen into lawlessness, with a sharp increase in killings and mistrust created by division within the leadership in Rumbek.

“[The] division of power have [brought] more death, sectionalism and nepotism [and have added salt in [the] state’s security downfall, threatening traditional leaders and students and closing all sources of local income,” said Maker.

“[The] flow of firearms and youth isolating [the] state government is becoming [a] threat. Where is [the] South Sudan government? Where is the son elected as president to hear us? God where are you to hear us. We need to [have] peace and unity in Rumbek,” he added.

South Sudan’s minister of national security, Obuto Mamur Mete, said Dhuol’s removal would be in the best interests of national security.

“In order that the state should be stable and security realised, the change in the state leadership should be an option as called for by the citizens of the state,” he said.

However, Dhuol has hit back at the parliament’s decision, accusing the central government of failing to bring national security under control.

He also blamed the president for the killing of thousands of Nuer citizens in the capital, Juba, after conflict erupted in mid-December last year, reigniting tribal tensions across the country.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Dhuol said that insecurity is a general problem facing the entire nation and that it should not be the sole reason for his removal from office.

Dhuol further charged that if there is to be accountability it should start in Central Equatoria state, where he said thousands of civilians were killed at the height of the conflict.

“Thousands of people were killed in Juba, Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity states. Was there any government official impeached?” he said.

(ST)

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29 August 2014 10:16, by Marco Bul

Agaar and Atuot are NOT real Dinka.They are outlwed Nuer who were exiled but were accommodated by Jäng/Ciëc in Lawless State.
No amount of law enforcement will work.No amount of education will work either.

Lies, Lies from a great lair. There is no such sacrifice took place at mabor-duang village or even in the entire Lakes State as you claimed. Kiir has a power to remove Gen Matur and Almighty God got powers that can punish you for lying.

Please be logical in your articles, I am bothered by lies in this website. Hopeless journalist.

These are stupid, disgruntled and power hungry journalists who want to combine journalism with politics. Your politics on Lakes is a fake one and you should join Riek Machar who is killing his people for nothing. You are not different from him though. This must be Manyang Mayom i guess

Those traditional leaders who need Governor’s removal are those who are missing monthly stipends that use to be given to them as a brief to silence them. None of our leaders has ever done such things like building sky crappers in the Secretariat, President’s guest house,fencing the freedom square with concrete and above all working on peace across the state

Death, death everyday in Lakes state and cohorts are still supporting leadership there. WHat you want to happen again to know matur chuot had failed? Many people died in one month bigger than anytime before since Lakes was created. Development for what if everyone is dying including maturs daughter also a murder! God have mercy

I do not see there will be a good leader in Lake State on the other hand the citizens of Lake State wouldn’t respect the government neither this is a very complicated one. The people of Lake State communities are sharing same mentality thinking just like Nuer. Today the GOSS will remove Matur Chut Dhuol but tomorrow the clashes wouldn’t stop either, this is a no no solution in Lake State problems.

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